Islamabad will host one of the region’s most anticipated policy gatherings as the Sustainable Development Policy Institute inaugurates the 28th Sustainable Development Conference at Allama Iqbal Open University from 4–7 November 2025. The SDC 2025 runs alongside the 16th South Asia Economic Summit, the Third Sustainability Investment Expo and the Ninth South and South-West Asia Subregional Forum on Sustainable Development convened by UNESCAP.
Over 45 sessions will bring together parliamentarians, policymakers, development practitioners, business leaders, technical experts, diplomats and academics from across South Asia, the US and beyond to discuss sustainable finance, climate resilience, circular economy, COP30, the SDGs and alternative finance strategies. The programme places particular emphasis on eco-friendly agriculture and food systems, the just energy transition, the state of renewable energy in Pakistan, and the intersection of telecom and artificial intelligence with sustainability objectives.
The opening high-level plenary on Day One features the Minister for Planning Professor Ahsan Iqbal as Chief Guest, with participation from UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Yahya, Ms Syeda Rizwana Hasan from Bangladesh’s environment ministry advisory team and Prof Kazuhiko Takeuchi, President of IGES, Japan. The Sustainability Investment Expo will be inaugurated by Climate Change Minister Senator Dr Musadik Malik, showcasing innovations in green finance, smart mobility and renewable energy solutions relevant to Pakistan’s development agenda.
Later sessions include a strategic dialogue on accelerating the SDGs led by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, and Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI. The day will close with a high-level plenary on unlocking circular opportunities in plastics and agri-food systems, graced by Chief Guest Rana Tanveer Hussain and Guest of Honour Ms Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
For Pakistani stakeholders, the conference offers a timely forum to advance national priorities on renewable energy deployment, climate finance access and resilient food systems while connecting local initiatives to regional strategies. Media are invited to cover sessions and conduct exclusive interviews with international and regional experts on the pressing sustainability, economic growth and climate challenges facing the country and the region.
